JoelS

My wife is going to try out the Hammer Gel with a flask. So I picked up a flask today and a large container of the gel. Should it be kept in the fridge after opening? I don't want it to go bad or start growing stuff.

Also, if she doesn't finish the flask, can that just go in the fridge or should it be cleaned out after each outing?

Thanks in advance.

BiggSlic

I think this stuff would survive a nuclear blast. I never put mine in the fridge. If you did it would become so solid it would be hard to pour/squeeze/dispense. In fact, I had a flask that went unused for about two months sitting in my pantry. It never grew anything and tasted the same.

I think there is too much sugar in this stuff to go bad. Kind of like honey.

kayakdiver

yes

as for cleaning.. yes also

theREEDeffect

Hammer recommends storing in a cool place away from sunlight. Refrigeration is necessary if the gel is to be stored for more than two months after opening.

JoelS

2 responses, and both different. HA! I love BF.

kayakdiver

I also wash my water bottles.. And bibs.. and jerseys.

BiggSlic

I guess I was clear since it only store for 2 months. I haven't been able to find any storage guidelines on their products or web site. Fortunately, my pantry is a cool dark place!

JoelS

I didn't see anything either. I sent them an e-mail to find out. Hopefully they'll get back to me tomorrow.

bwunger

I also read the suggestion that you refrigerate opened bottles if you keep them around more than a couple months. It can't hurt, so I do it. It does make it a bit thicker, but it warms up quickly and pours much easier.

midgetmaestro 

Who doesn't?

eric01

Why take chances? Is your fridge that packed that you can't find space for a container of gel?

re: washing bibs and jerseys... clearly sarcasm is tough to convey in forums; or rather this is a nod to pointing out the absurdity of the initial question of washing your bottle after riding

rangerdavid

please post the info you get from them............

ericm979

You can leave it out. It doesn't go bad.

Jakedatc

I always had a space so i put mine in the fridge. then if i didn't finish the flask that day then i'd throw that in there too. It warms up quick like someone else said and flows fine.

JoelS

The initial question was what to do with the 2 or 3 ounces left in the flask. Not what to do with an empty one.

JoelS

I will.

sstorkel

Agree. I bought a flavor I didn't like and left the open 26-serving jug in the kitchen pantry for months on end before I managed to finish it. Never went bad, never got any better

Ygduf

Recommended, not necessary. I had a bottle sit post-opening for months and months. The gel never changed/grew anything. It's actually a little weird.

DiabloScott

I had a big bottle in my office (not refrigerated) and I'd take a hit right from the container before I left for an afternoon ride. Even though there was never anything growing in there and it tasted fine, toward the end of the bottle I would get some bad diarreah later that night... probably doesn't apply if you don't lick the top. Now I just have individual servings in my file cabinet and leave the grenade filler at home.

ptle

I don't use Hammer Gel, rather homemade gel. If I don't finish what's in the flask, I'll stick it in the fridge. I have left it out before, for a few days and reused it. No ill side effects.

JoelS

Heard back from Hammer. The big container can stay in the cupboard. Fridge won't hurt. A half-empty flask should be used within a few days and then dumped. Stored in the fridge for sure.

JimF22003

I had about half a bottle of the chocolate that I hadn't used up. I doubt it was over 2 months. It went way bad. It was sour and rancid. I spit it out, but I almost puked it up. Since then I keep the opened bottles on the refrigerator.

And I can't stand chocolate anymore either.

Jasper Storm

I've had 26 serving Hammer Gels left at room temp after opening for 4 months, with no ill effects. Some of those room temps were summertime, in the 90's.

Like JimF, I initially liked chocolate, but now hate it.